WJRO represents world Jewry in pursuing claims for the recovery of Jewish properties in Europe (outside of Germany and Austria). WJRO was established by leading world Jewish organizations to address the restitution of Jewish property and to remind the world that the time has come to redress the enormous material wrongs caused to European Jewry during the Holocaust.

Polish Benefits

Polish Benefits for Holocaust Victims of Polish Origin

WJRO wishes to inform Holocaust victims who were Polish citizens at the time of the Holocaust that they may be eligible for monthly payments of about PLN 400 (approximately $130) from the Polish government.

Background

were detained by the Nazis in ghettos, prisons, concentration camps, extermination camps, or similar places of detention;

were forcibly deported to the Soviet Union;

served in the Polish military, the Polish units of the Allied militaries, or in the Polish underground during the Second World War; or

otherwise are considered a veteran or a victim of oppression.

On March 14, 2014, Poland passed legislation removing an obstacle that had previously made it difficult for eligible survivors currently living outside of Poland to qualify for the monthly payments. The President of Poland signed the legislation on April 4, 2014, and the legislation was published and passed into law on May 18, 2014.

Previously, recipients were required to have a Polish bank account, which made it difficult for claimants living abroad to receive payments. Under the new law, the monthly payments can be deposited into bank accounts outside of Poland.

The changes took effect on October 18, 2014, for people living in European Union member states, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United States of America.

The changes became effective on April 18, 2015, for people living in all other countries, including Israel.

WJRO is working with the worldwide network of social service agencies and others to help provide information to Holocaust victims of Polish origin who may be eligible.